Esparza-Hyatt official for Invicta FC 4; card finalized with 13 bouts

A previously reported headliner for Invicta FC 4 now is official between Carla Esparza (8-2) and Bec Hyatt (4-1).

Promotion officials finalized the fight on Sunday as the main event of the show, which takes place Jan. 5. Hyatt steps in for Esparza’s original opponent, Claudia Gadelha, who was forced out with a broken nose suffered in training.

Invicta FC 4 takes place at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan., and will be available as an online pay-per-view at invictafc.com.

In addition, Invicta made official Hyatt’s replacement for her original fight against Joanne Calderwood (4-0). Livia von Plettenberg (1-0), a Matt Lindland-trained Team Quest product, steps in for that fight.

“Both Bec Hyatt’s and Carla Esparza’s willingness to take on a new opponent in such a high-stakes championship fight is extremely admirable and shows what true warriors are made of – they will fight anyone, anytime anywhere,” stated Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp. “By the same token, Joanne Calderwood and Liva von Plettenberg should be commended for accepting the bout against each other on such short notice. They have a tremendous warrior’s spirit and it will show on fight night.”

Hyatt, Invicta’s first Australian fighter, has won four straight fights in 2012, including three stoppages. She’ll be making her Invicta debut. Esparza goes after her fourth straight win, including back-to-back TKO wins under the Invicta banner.